In
this wordless picture book, the illustrations tell the story and images masterfully take the place of the printed word. In A Ball for Daisy, Caldecott Medalist (2012)
Chris Raschka illustrates the story with watercolor drawings in a playful,
cartoon type style. The main protagonist
is Daisy the dog, with secondary ones includes Daisy’s owner or friend, a
little girl. Also essential to the plot are a brown dog with his/her owner, who
is also a little girl. These roles are implied by the illustrations, and
therefore the reader of this book may come to different conclusions regarding
specific characters. Both the red and blue balls can also be considered “characters”
in the story.
The
plot surrounds the destruction of Daisy’s red ball, and how an act of kindness
is expressed through the replacement of the lost toy. When another dog arrives
to take the red ball, conflict occurs between Daisy and the dog. Climax is
reached through scenes that show excitement through deeper shades of the
watercolor type images. The warm colors (red, brown, orange, yellow) are dark
leading to climax. Following the climax, colors become cooler (blues, greens)
and some faded. Although some scenes are in the home, the majority is focused
outdoors, possible a park setting. Time passes in frames or scenes, with
moments highly emphasized with an entire page dedicated to one scene. Images
are fast paced when displayed in frames or scenes, with Daisy enjoying her red
ball.
There
is a quiet message of kindness of the return of the girl and her brown dog, which
destroyed Daisy’s ball, with a blue ball as a replacement gift. The color blue
is cool and calming, in contrast to the original red, hot and intense ball that
Daisy owned. Facial expression is key in the style in which the author suggests
Daisy’s feelings. Although the final scene is in the cooler colors such with
shades of blue and green, they are deep in tone. The expression on Daisy’s face
as she sleeps on her couch is one of quiet contentment. It is a closed ending
in which Daisy is alongside her new character and friend, the blue ball.
Although
a specific culture or ethnicity is not evident, the hair type of the two little
girls is different. One has hair appearing straight and light-colored, whereas
the other has thicker, curly, dark brown hair. Skin color is the same in both
girls. Identifying with the people in a story is often useful when showing
young children the acceptability of difference in hair, skin, clothing and
other cultural or ethnic markers.
Using
DAISY’S RED BALL in a story time earlier this year, children responded with
their own interpretation of Daisy and her ball. The lack of printed text
creates an environment where children can input all their own ideas of what is
happening in each page or scene in the story. Awarded the School Library
Journal Best Book of the Year (2012), A
Ball for Daisy is sure to be a delight for children years to come. As
commented by Starred Review, School Library Journal, August 2011: "Raschka’s
genius lies in capturing the essence of situations that are deeply felt by
children." (Books in Print, 2011).
References:
Books in Print (via TWU Databases).
Accessed September 7, 2013. http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2125/DetailedView.aspx?hreciid=|32583758|31867183&mc=USA#
Raschka, Chris. 2011. A BALL FOR
DAISY. Ill. by Chris Raschka. New York: Random
House.
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